Sangamon Sun

Village of Divernon Board of Trustees met May 28

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held at Village Hall on Wednesday May 28, 2025. Mayor Craig Busch called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called: Craig Busch “Here,” Chuck Apgar “Here,” Randy Olson “Here,” Dianne Brenning “Here,” Julie Rhodes “Here,” Colton McDannald “Here, and Gail Hedges “Here.” Also present were Police Chief Mike Lavin, Superintendent Jeremy Rhodes and Attorney Tony Schuering.

Apgar made a motion, seconded by McDannald, to approve the amended May 14, 2025, minutes. The motion passed 6-0.

Brenning made a motion to approve the bills for after adding an invoice to Paycheck Inc. for $103.30. Olson seconded and the motion passed 6-0.  

Rod Molnar was sworn in as the Village Clerk.  

Visitors:

Nancy Beaty and Nancy Crawford representing the Divernon Alumni Association were in attendance. They requested and received permission to purchase a park bench for the Village Square. The Public Works Department will do the install.

Village Treasurer Jess Hayes was in attendance to address the Board on a number of items. She reported she would like to begin moving monies between funds so that none end the fiscal year with a negative balance. This is done annually. $73,000.00 transferred from the Capital Repair and Replacement Fund with $12,000 going into the Water Fund, $50,000.00 to the Gas Fund and $11,000.00 to the Infrastructure Fund. $102,000.00 transferred from the Gas Fund of which $90,000.00 went to the General Fund and $12,000.00 to the Sewer Fund.  Hayes also requested the Board consider increasing its cash reserves from $300.000.00 to $500,000.00. A motion was made by Brenning and seconded by Rhodes to approve the transfers. The motion passed 6-0. She will look into it to get more concrete numbers regarding increasing cash reserves. She also reported an amended Appropriation Ordinance would need to be filed considering the increased pay and benefits that the Public Works and Police Department have received now that they have unionized. She has already filed the annual Certified Estimate of Revenues and will have to explain the additional revenues to cover the amended appropriation. Busch said the one percent increase in sales tax revenue would more than make up the difference. The annual audit will take place the week of June 16th.

Public Works, Streets, Alleys & Sidewalks:  

Superintendent Rhodes reported the cost of the water meter installation at 100 N. Henrietta Street would be $6953.29. A motion was made by Apgar and seconded by Hedges to purchase the meter. The motion passed 6-0. The amount will be applied to the TIF reimbursement of the property. The bid opening for the annual maintenance on Village streets was held on May 28, 2025. The only bid received was from Illinois Road Contractors for $77,140.00. An item will be on the agenda for the first meeting in June to vote on the proposal. Ben Spreen of Benton and Associates will begin working on a grant proposal to asphalt and curb and gutter the streets around the square. Two bid proposals will be requested for the demolition of properties on South and Henrietta streets.

Police Department:

Chief Lavin reported that Tait Martin’s last day was last Thursday. He left the Department in good standing. Lavin will be looking into filling the position.  

Economic Development, Zoning, TIF, Building Permits:

A discussion was held regarding the creation of a second TIF district. Attorney Schuering reported his firm also represented other taxing districts withing the proposed TIF and therefore should not handle this venture. Kathy Orr, who worked on the first TIF as well as the Business Districts will work on it instead.

Public Utilities, Wate, Gas and Sewer:

Nothing to report.

Finance, Personnel, GIS:

The Human Resources firm is working on the Personnel Manual revision.

Public Safety, Health and Safety:

Nothing to report:

Public Works, Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks:

Nothing to report:

Village Communication/Building, Grounds & Lights, Parks, Recreation:   

Olson reported the cost of a new drop box for the Village Hall would be $1132.00. The contractor cannot give a bid on installation until finding out if electric lines would need to be moved. He will be asked to give two bids, one with and one without the additional work. A motion was made by Olson to purchase the drop box. Apgar seconded and the motion passed 6-0.

Old Business:   

A motion was made by Brenning and seconded by Olson to have Designer Landscapes install trees along Brown Street at a cost of $1110.00. The motion passed 6-0. Designer Landscapes also submitted a bid of $2012.40 for planting flowers and landscaping around the Village Hall. Coach Gardner is looking for some projects for his football players to do this summer. McDannald will see if this is possible and may have Melissa Layton supervise.

Apgar reported the Village received a grant from the Sangamon County Historic Society for work on the train depot. There will be a ceremony on June 10, 2025.

A motion was made by Apgar and seconded by Brenning to renew the contract with Microsoft at a cost of $1038.24. The motion was approved 6-0.

A motion was made by Brenning to amend Resolution 2025-006 to change those authorized for signature cards at United Community Bank. Those authorized will be Busch, Brenning Apgar and Rhodes.

Attorney Schuering informed the Board a listing agreement would need to be made with Jim Skeeters Realty before the property at 100 Reichert Road could be listed for sale.

Illinois Risk Management has said they would pay for the claim on the damage to the picnic table in the park, but would pursue payment from the parents of the kids who caused the damage. The Board will not pursue the claim but will instead require 25 community service hours from each of the two individuals involved.

Emerson Press has completed the proof for the dangerous building. Schuering identified a correction to the ILCS reference. The cost will be $62.00. Apgar will get the correction made and signs produced.

A motion was made by Apgar and seconded by Brenning to approve Ordinance 2025-006 regarding the appointment of a Mayor Pro Tem. The motion passed 6-0.

A motion was made by Rhodes and seconded by McDannald to approve Ordinance 2025-007 regarding spending limits for the Police and Public Works department prior to Board approval. The motion passed 6-0.

A motion was made by Apgar and seconded by Hedges to approve Resolution 2025-007 regarding Committee Assignments. The motion passed 6-0.

A motion was made by Hedges and seconded by Brenning to approve Resolution 2025-008 regarding appointing Chuck Apgar as the Mayor Pro Tem. The motion passed 6-0.

A motion was made by Apgar and seconded by Olson to approve Ordinance 2025-008 regarding the acquisition of property within the Village of Divernon. The motion passed 6-0.

A motion was made by Apgar and seconded by Olson to approve Resolution 2025-009 to call for a Public Hearing to amend the Zoning Code. The motion passed 6-0.

A motion was made by Apgar and seconded by Olson to authorizing the emergency remediation of properties at 109 South Street and 139 S. Henrietta Street. The motion passed 6-0.

Discussion was held on an ordinance regarding low speed vehicles but no action was taken.

New Business:

Busch went over a number of goals he would like the Board to achieve over the next term.

Hedges made a motion, seconded by Apgar, to adjourn at 9:56 p.m. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.  

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